02. Hidden Story of Birth
[Young n.o.ble of Crimson Rose]
That is the t.i.tle of the book that explosively became popular in the Olren Kingdom long ago.
A novel where the protagonist is the Viscount’s daughter who was brought up as a man from childhood to inherit their House, and depicts a person earnestly living despite suffering because of her gender. The protagonist’s real name is Alice but since she was raised as a man, it was narrated using the name Arius.
Without revealing information about the author, it’s a work that gave birth to various speculations.
The literary work, which stepped into the standards of gender differences that the works so far never touched as it was a taboo, was very sensational.
It was particularly liked among n.o.ble women and their daughters and gained several wildly enthusiastic fans.
These wildly enthusiastic fans called the protagonist [Arius-sama] and talked zealously with other fans about [him]. Of course, it goes without saying that one will suffer a terrifying experience if they neglect adding –sama in front of these fans.
Elizabeth Rosenberg was one of these crazy enthusiastic fans of [Young n.o.ble of Crimson Rose].
An attractive girl born as the second daughter of a Marquis House, distinctly known for her blond wavy hair, calm disposition and gentle smile.
Coupled with her small stature, she looked relatively younger than her age… or rather, she is often seen as a child. She is already the mother of one child, but there are still people who will be doubtful even when they’re told that she’s already in her teens.
She read the book for the first time in her teens, around the time she married into the Rosenberg Earldom and completely became engrossed. She was so impa.s.sioned that she brought the book wherever she went.
When that type of woman gave birth to a boy from her husband Ernest Rosenberg, she thought——–
—— “Eh, doesn’t this child resemble Arius-sama?”
Of course, that was a hallucination. Otherwise, a delusion.
Though the child’s looks that will blossom in the future and his atmosphere resemble Elizabeth overall, saying something like that to a newborn baby is absurd.
In the first place, the book [Young n.o.ble of Crimson Rose] is a novel and not a picture book, so there was no ill.u.s.tration of the protagonist Arius’ appearance.
Elizabeth’s thought that he resemble Arius is the product of her delusion based on the novel’s description.
However, Elizabeth pushed on believing that hallucination and delusion.
Her unbending personality took a bad turn at a critical moment.
Right, she made up her mind to raise the newborn child, Julius, as a man.
If at this time someone took a peep inside her head, they would have retorted—– “That child is a boy from the start.”
Naturally, no one can peek inside a person’s head so there was no one who could retort to this disappointing woman. As for the person who can stop her…
The fine play of Earl Rosenberg who narrowly prevented Elizabeth’s scheme to name the baby [Arius] should be given due praise.
Elizabeth tried to raise Julius, who was a already a male, as a man.
If she tried to raise a girl as a man or a boy as a woman, she should have been opposed.
As expected, Earl Rosenberg would have stopped her if she really did this.
It’s natural since even putting aside ethical aspects, there’s no merit in lying about the gender either.
It’s true that this country requires a male heir except for some exceptions, but even if there’s only a daughter, adopting a son-in-law will allow the family line to continue.¹
Additionally, Julius is a man to begin with so his father can just declare him a successor. There was no need to do anything at all.
Even if it’s the Earl or other people, they will not approve of Elizabeth raising a child while falsifying his gender.
However in this case, she plans to raise a boy as a man, there doesn’t seem to be a problem with that. It’s actually reasonable.
So how the h.e.l.l did it lead to such result?
Even when the relatives who knew the truth looked back later, they couldn’t help but be puzzled, not seeing the connection between the cause and result.
It is indeed terrifying, the tenacity of an enthusiastic fan sublimating into the level of being a religious fanatic.
The education that Elizabeth introduced to Julius includes a lot of topics.
Swordsmans.h.i.+p, horse-riding, literature, history, arithmetic, art, music, manners and so on.
He was given an extensive, special education both in academic and practical lessons.
Naturally, Elizabeth is not familiar with all those subjects since she is an ordinary n.o.blewoman. She did not teach them by herself to Julius. The respective teachers for each subject took charge of them.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth made sure to always be present in Julius’ cla.s.ses. This is an unusual behavior from an ordinary n.o.blewoman. She meddled with educational plans in order to control it towards the direction she wants.
The subjects Julius studied were intended to acquire the appropriate education for a n.o.ble son. It wasn’t anything special. Even if there are some differences since he was a boy born into a n.o.ble’s house, everyone learns the same thing. However, Elizabeth got involved, and the lessons advanced towards a slightly diagonal direction.
For example, in swordsmans.h.i.+p…
“As a n.o.ble, you must keep in mind that each movement should always flow elegantly.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“It’s immodest, so don’t open your legs more than necessary.”
“Eh? Immodest? Umm, I understand.”
“M-madam…?”
Although Julius and the instructor were puzzled with the instructions mixed in, as a n.o.ble, it’s not wrong to demand elegant bearing for basic stances.
Therefore, they could not argue even if they’re both doubtful.
But absurd demands that they still can’t understand sometimes come out.
“Keep your sweat to minimum.”
“Th-that is quite difficult…”
Julius broke into cold sweat at Elizabeth’s demand. The instructor also broke into cold sweat like Julius, letting out a vague smile and not understanding why it should be done.
“Don’t get too close to other people. Keep your interactions light. More importantly. be careful not to let others touch near your chest area.”
“Why is there so much emphasis with the chest?”
“It’s absurd to let men touch them.”
“That is, I don’t think other men will want to touch…”
Meanwhile in dancing…
“Refined movements are born from flexibility. Draw an arc, not a straight step.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Practice the steps for the female side, too. You will be a considerate escort to your partner if you also learn it.”
“I understand.”
Elizabeth’s teaching did not cut corners in neither practical skills nor academics.
“Uhm, Mother? I understand setting questions on a character’s emotions, but why do all the questions lean towards women’s sentiments until now?”
“If you thoroughly know women’s feelings, you can behave like a true gentleman.”
“I-I see…”
The result of that much training led to Julius growing up as a young man br.i.m.m.i.n.g with androgynous charm, completely according to Elizabeth’s plan.
When the person in question and the surrounding people noticed that something was strange, it was already too late.
It goes without saying that everyone except Elizabeth were at their wit’s end.
Elizabeth’s scheming did not stop at education.
She intentionally spread a rumor shortly after Julius was born.
However, even though she was bringing up a girl as a man, that doesn’t mean she went around announcing it.
Immediately after Julius was born, she just boasted about him using expressions usually used on a girl such as “cute” and “pretty” at social functions.
Afterwards, when a formal announcement of Rosenberg Earldom’s heir was made, the adult ladies and young daughters who previously heard Elizabeth’s story already made the preconception that a girl was born.
Naturally, the women who heard the announcement asked Elizabeth about the child’s gender but she remained silent while looking down sadly.
Seeing that appearance made the imaginative n.o.ble women labor under various delusions and rumors spread in no time.
…They were also unaware that they were dancing on Elizabeth’s palm.
Earl Rosenberg naturally denied it when he learned about the rumors. It was an unfounded rumor from the start so when it settled at that time, he also became negligent.
That the rumor was smoldering secretly, and for it to possibly revive several years later, no one had expected it.
No one except Elizabeth.
1. Adopt a son-in-law. This is a case of the guy marrying into the family and adopting the girl’s family name instead. He inherits the peerage with that, allowing the continuation of the family line.